We're zoning in on things Black Friday; the holiday that celebrates binge-shopping and which leaves the environmental credentials of the retail sector in tatters.

For the sake of the planet, put your bank cards away! Do you really *need* that thing that's on a super duper exclusive promotion and will never (wink wink) be that cheap again? Sure, you might, and that's fine. But if you're keen and able to try to participate less, or better, in Black Friday, here's our guide to trying to reduce the environmental impact of this international consumption-fest.

References from the episode

Support our pals over at Green Pear Eco low waste and refill store: https://greenpeareco.com/

Support The Wildlife Trusts as they purchase the Rothbury Estate for nature restoration: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/rothbury-estate-nature-and-nation

Psychology Today on why we shop Black Friday: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/consumption-and-lifestyles/202411/why-we-shop-on-black-friday

Forbes did some Black Friday research:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/11/24/this-is-how-black-friday-hurts-the-planet-but-attitudes-are-changing/?sh=66b069f92863

And so did Good Energy: https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/blog/black-friday/

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Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

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Support the show:

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

This week we're answering your questions. Join Emma and Sophie for a grand tour of 'plogging', an investigation into whether dog poo is natural enough to be left in the environment, and a chat about how we remain hopeful in the environment sector despite all the bad news.

Get in touch

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

This week, we’re diving into one of the most rapidly evolving fields of our time: artificial intelligence. AI takes many forms and is rapidly transforming many industries and sectors - from helping to optimise international supply chains to smarting up energy grids and predicting climate patterns.

But alongside the many celebrated efficiency and problem-solving benefits that AI can offer, there are also many concerns lurking around every virtual corner - including concerns about the massive environmental footprint of AI.

References from the episode:

UNEP World Environment Situation Room: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-artificial-intelligence-helping-tackle-environmental-challenges

Smart Farming: https://www.bsigroup.com/globalassets/localfiles/en-gb/bsi-knowledge/bsi-knowledge-food/bsi_smart_farming_report.pdf

AI e-waste: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-ai-looming-threat-e-waste-how-automation-can-save-day-exnfc/

TUBERSCAN: https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/research/project/1285/tuberscan-using-deep-learning-and-data-science-to-improve-agronomy-decisions-in-the-potato-industry

Get in touch

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

What impact will the incoming President have on the climate? The US Election result this week has left many of us in a spin, and in this bonus episode, we take a trip to BCFM's show Love and Science to chat with the lovely Andrew Glester. We share a few of our initial thoughts on the news and explore ways to remain optimistic, look after ourselves and galvanise as a community to ensure climate action isn't forgotten.

References from the episode:

Email your MP, and use this link to find their contact details: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/

Learn about the Climate and Nature Bill: https://www.zerohour.uk/climate-and-nature-bill/

Stop Rosebank and take action on fossil fuels in the UK: https://www.stopcambo.org.uk/

Cop 29: https://cop29.az/en/home

Listen to BCFM's Love and Science: https://www.bcfmradio.com/show/love-science

Get in touch

If you liked the bonus, reactive episode format. Let us know!

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

How do we teach children about climate change without causing eco-anxiety? What supposedly environmental thing absolutely baffles you? Is biogas actually carbon neutral? Three hot topics on the table today as we sit down to answer your For What It's Earth listener questions.

References from the episode:

The Adventures of Scout children's books: https://theadventuresofscout.com/

Get in touch

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

The 2024 Olympics in Paris aspired to be the first Games ever to be fully aligned with Paris Agreement - but can the world's biggest international sporting event ever really be considered sustainable? From incredible eco-design decisions to the energy and food choices made with the planet in mind, to the burden of private aviation and wasteful merchandise and athleisure, we're taking a metaphorical dive into the bold claims, innovative steps and downright failures associated with Paris 2024.

References from the episode:

British Association for Sustainable Sport: https://basis.org.uk/2024/07/26/paris-2024-the-greenest-games-ever/

Designing the aquatics centre: https://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/making-buildings-paris-olympic-aquatics-centre-costs-flexible-design

https://aurorasolar.com/blog/2024/04/17/the-2024-paris-olympics-solars-role/

Coca-cola's soda fountain greenwashing: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/07/greenwash-games-french-public-points-finger-at-coca-cola-over-olympics-plastic-waste

Plastic: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2024/8/20/are-efforts-to-green-the-olympic-games-enough

Offsetting and clean energy: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/energy-transition/072324-feature-paris-olympics-to-lean-heavily-on-offsets-clean-power-to-hit-carbon-targets

Get in touch

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

Welcome to the first of our fortnightly bonus episodes, in which we answer three burning green questions sent in by you! Ever wondered whether washing your dishes by hand or in a dishwasher is more environmentally friendly, or whether it's better to charge your phone at home or in your car? Or what our humble opinions on the hit farming series Clarkson's Farm might be? Well, this episode has got you covered.

References from the episode:

10 eco-friendly laundry products to add to your cupboard: https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/green-living/eco-friendly-laundry-products

Get in touch

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Question, One Good Thing, and suggest episode topics. Feel free also to shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

Environmental protests. Beyond grabbing headlines and successfully irritating segments of the population, do they work as a tool to move the needle for the planet? We're starting this new season by taking to the streets (not literally) and exploring how one of history's most effective but divisive change-making methods is being used to demand action on climate change.

References from the episode:

They Work For You, the website that connects you with your local political representative and makes it easy to contact them: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/

Get in touch

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content between episodes, and get in touch to share your Listener Questions, One Good Things, and suggest episode topics. Feel free to also shower us with praise, we're fine with that too. We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.

While you're here, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review to help new listeners find us!

Support the show:

Treat yourself to something from our range of organic cotton goodies, from teeshirts to tote bags: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/

Help us cover the pod's running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support (as little as the cost of a cup of coffee goes a long way) using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast

For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).